What Do I Take on a Run?

Today is a beautiful day. It is sunny and 86. I didn't realize that fact until I was out the door for my run. Most of my workout clothes are black, because, well...black is slimming, folks, and I will not wear running pants in any other color at the moment. And probably forever. We'll see.

But for now, they are all black. And sweaty. This picture is supposed to be showing you my sweaty knees, but, alas, you can't really tell. Lol.

And, I'm not feeling super thin today, so what did I pair with my black running pants? Oh, a black t-shirt and a black bandana...which made a friend ask if I'd run into a rival colors gang (haha Blair)...but it kept my crazy hair under control, so mission accomplished. I'd been inside cleaning all day, then grandma came to take Natalie out for the afternoon, so after they left, I put on my running clothes as fast as possible and headed out. About 1 minute in, I decided I wouldn't be going as far as I had anticipated in that outfit. Boo!

I ended up doing 2.5 miles. Slowly.

Seriously, would someone tell Texas it's fall already? Thanks much!

Here's my purple post-run face:

On the bright side, my toes don't hurt. :-) Let me explain...

My second toes are slightly longer than my big toes, and as some of you know, I've been losing toenails periodically the last couple years. Once, I lost a big toenail, but every other time it has been one of my second toenails...or both of them. 

Last week, there was a Q & A session on Zooma's Facebook page with the authors of "Run Like a Mother" and "Train Like a Mother", Dimity McDowell & Sarah Bowen Shea. I posted a question asking for ideas to help me keep my toenails & got many, many responses, including one from Dimity. :-) There were recommendations for different/bigger socks, different/bigger shoes (which I've tried), different lacing techniques, and the one I tried today...Body Glide. This is an anti-friction cream that runners use for "irritation and hot spots". I rubbed this into my toes & put on my loosest socks before I headed out. 

(Yes, I took time to do that, but did not check the weather...lol.) 

My toes feel great! This was a short run, so the true test will be in the next few days with some longer runs, but right now I am a huge fan of body glide.

I also tried out the Sprigs wrist wallet I picked up at REI the other day. I've been using a Spibelt to hold my phone, house key & ID while I run, but I really don't like things around my waist. I rarely wear a regular belt. I also have a water belt that holds---you guessed it---water---that my friend Susan gave me for my long runs, so wearing 2 belts at once is unacceptable. I like the wrist wallet. I'm not in love with it when it's sunny & 86, but I bet I will love it when it cools down a bit. It warmed up my arm more than needed today, but it is very soft and comfortable otherwise, so I'm a fan.

The top (pictured) is the fold over place to keep your phone/iPod and on the other side is the zippered pocket where I put my key, ID & unused Gu. That grey-looking stripe is reflective & will help me be more visible on my night runs. And I also don't dress in head-to-toe black on my night runs. Sometimes I am sensible. ;-) 

By the way, I have yet to actually try Gu, but put it in there with plans to run more than 2.5 miles. Oh, well. I will shoot for this tomorrow night. Jet Blackberry sounds good....

All in all, it was a good day. I still have a ton to do, but thanks to my mom taking Natalie to see "Frankenweenie", I got to run and tell you all about it. I am happy now. Hope you all have a great week! 

PS- #runchat tonight at 7 central. Can't wait!